Campus Fleet Emissions Deductions

In some ways, reducing emissions from the campus vehicle fleet is the most straightforward aspect of reducing overall transportation-sector emissions on campus. Basically, there are two ways to achieve that aim:

• Cutting the GHG emissions spewed from campus vehicles for each mile traveled
• Reducing VMT's (Vehicle Miles Traveled) by campus fleet vehicles altogether

Investments in more fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuels are visible, tangible, and easily-quantifiable ways to reduce greenhouse pollution. In the case of upgrading to more efficient vehicles like hybrid-electric vehicles, greater fuel efficiency can save fuel costs, at the very least "paying for itself" in terms of fleet upgrade investment. As for alternative fuels, biodiesel, compressed natural gas and ethanol are proven options - although with biofuels such as biodiesel and ethanol, the GHG emissions required to produce them (i.e. petrochemical fertilizers, motorized farm equipment, etc.) must also be taken into account. Both can be carbon neutral if made from waste oil, organic crops, or plant wastes.

Reducing VMT's can be a little more complicated, necessitating increased attention to operational policies and planning. But the payoff, both in dollars and in pollution reduction, can be well worth it.